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Moonrise
Kingdom
A M E D I A S T U D Y G U I D E T O
Introduction
This study guide has been made to accompany a class viewing of Wes Anderson's 2012 film Moonrise Kingdom. The story follows the quest of two pubescents to be together, despite the best efforts of the adults in their lives. The film playfully addresses issues around what it means to be part of a family, what it means to love, and the human drive to know thyself.
With these universal themes in mind, English language learners (through the lens of the Ontario ESLEO curriculum) will reflect on their own experiences as young adults. They will be encouraged to participate in activities, oral communication techniques, and actions for engaging with media while also expressing creative choice in the portrayal of their first- language cultures.
By Kate Willey and Wanyi Wong
Learning outcomes
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are important experiences that help people grow up? How does your own culture recognize children becoming young adults? Is there a ceremony? A special party? A new responsibility? What happens when a child wants to grow up before their community says is the right time? What were some noticeable difficulties the protagonists faced? How do you think things would be like if the roles were reversed between adults and children? M O O N R I S E^ K I N G D O M :^ M S G |^2
That part's true.
we'd get in trouble.
I admit we knew
Vocabulary List
Whimsy Stylized Precocious Absurd Symbolic Fantasy Adolescence Puberty Interpret Melancholic Record these words in your notes. Translate and define each word into your first language, either individually or in homogeneous groups.
Try it!
I will be able to…
- Consider the message of a film like Moonrise Kingdom.
- Reflect on how the process of growing up is shown in this movie.
- Discuss similarities and differences between ideas of growing up in this movie, and my culture.
Learning Activities
04 PRE-WATCHING Brainstorm activity to engage the students with the theme of the movie.
07 AFTER THE FILM Reflective Activity of the similarities and differences observed.
06 DURING THE FILM Moment captures of important scenes from the film.
(^09) CLOSER LOOK Extended analysis of selected scenes from the film.
11 EXTRAS Additional activity options for further learning.
13 RESOURCES Available resources for extended study.
Critical Thinking Skills:
Compare & Contrast, Review (expressing
opinion with support), Translate
Language-Based Activities:
Creative Writing Piece, or a Movie Review
Task where they have to write a script and
then perform it on film, upload it to YouTube.
Media Production:
Students are given a topic to analyze and
they have to write and perform their
understanding in a media.
Target Audience:
Students enrolled in Ontario’s ESLEO course,
grade 10
M O O N R I S E K I N G D O M : M S G | 4
Let's think!
P R E - W A T C H I N G V I D E O S
H O W T O D I R E C T L I K E W E S A N D E R S O N - S T Y L E A N D T R O P E B R E A K D O W N
A short introduction to Wes Anderson movies, his unique styles and stories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDeo49wtvdU
Engage the students before you start! Here are some clips that the teacher and/or student can watch to learn a bit more about the background of the film before watching the actual film.
W E S A N D E R S O N | 5 V I S U A L S T Y L E T R A D E M A R K S | C O M P I L A T I O N
A short video of five visual trademarks often used by Wes Anderson in his movies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6o1K8lpBE
M O O N R I S E K I N G D O M — W H E R E S T O R Y M E E T S S T Y L E
An screenplay analysis of the "Moonrise Kingdom" film. It takes a look at the intricate details that are easily missed by the audience that adds to the narrative in the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_5lCnwDEo
T H E C H I L D H O O D W H I M S Y O F W E S A N D E R S O N
A short video analysis of Wes Anderson's films. It looks at the use and reasons behind his choice of using children in his films. The demonstration of differences in adults and child characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVdKbtDJglE
M O O N R I S E K I N G D O M - O F F I C I A L T R A I L E R
Moonrise Kingdom Official Trailer.
_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOI3AamSm
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Take notes during the film. Some options for notes are: i) moments throughout the film where you have felt the same way as the lead character.
ii) scenes you feel are important in the lives of the leads
iii) any moments you can relate to, either personal experiences or other films you have seen in the past.
Capture Moments
A c t i v i t y
D U R I N G T H E F I L M
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"IT TAKES TIME TO FIGURE
THINGS OUT" - SAM
After the
film
REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY
Students choose a moment
from the film and create a
short script that builds off of
that moment. They must
specify the point in the film
they’re building from, and
how they are connecting it
to an experience from their
own lives or cultures.
Reflection: After doing your own skit and seeing those of your classmates, what similarities and differences do you see across each other’s ideas around growing up?
Submit a short write-up of your reflection to this question.
Dramatic Skit
Each group member is responsible for participating in the creation and delivery of your group’s work.
M O O N R I S E K I N G D O M : M S G | 8
Extended Analysis
The wedding scene is 'unofficial',
but means a lot to the kids. Is this
normal? Have you seen or
experienced something similar? Why
do you think the kids felt it was
important to do?
The explosive personality of Suzy’s
father, compared to the adult’s
description of Suzy. Why do you
think the film includes this
connection?
The last scene: when Captain
Sharp offers to be Sam’s guardian.
He does this while climbing up the
chimney to save the kids. Why do
you think he did that at that
moment? What meaning does the
scene hold?
C L O S E R L O O K
Choose from one of the questions, to focus on as a group and create a presentation (next page).
M O O N R I S E K I N G D O M : M S G | 1 0
A short presentation that uses video clips to help explain your ideas, presented like a video-collage, to accompany a short presentation.
OR
A short video that you film with your own technology, that explains your ideas on your chosen topic.
Choose from one of the options on the left. Focus and prepare as a group. Each group member is responsible for participating in the creation and delivery of your group’s work.
After Film Further thinking questions:
1. There was a lot of communication in the movie, between the kids and
amongst the adults. Sam and Suzy only used short letters, yet could
conveyed so much to each other. The adults communicated via phone
calls and letters, but were even more confused after each interaction.
Why is that?
2. The concerns around Suzy being "troubled" were too much for the
adults to handle, but they ended up having the same grown up
problems. Discuss.
3. The director of the movie, Wes Anderson, puts a lot of effort in his
film style. Is there a director from your country similar to him, in
uniqueness? Tells us about him/her.
Additional Activity Options
E X T R A S
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More Resources &
References
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012 American film) The Spectacular Now (2013 American film) First Love (2010 Thai film) Our Times (2015 Chinese Film) You Are The Apple of My Eye (2011 Chinese Film) From Me to You (2010 Japanese Film) Ferris Bueller's Day off (1986 American FIlm)
O T H E R ' C O M I N G - O F - A G E ' F I L M S
"I hope the roof flies off and I get sucked up into space" - Suzy's Dad
Find, translate, and present a coming of age movie or a director with unique styles from your culture, or another culture. Present and explain your findings, use clips from the movie or retell the story, and explain how you can relate.
T r y t h i s!
